Wake Forest point guard Ish Smith knows that Friday night's game against No. 13 seed Cleveland State could be a dangerous one for the Deacons — in part because he got a crash course from a cop.
Recounted Smith Thursday in Miami just before the Deacons practiced in preparation for Friday night's 9:40 p.m. NCAA tourney game:
"Wednesday, I think, we were leaving and I parked my car, and one of the police officers came up to me and said, "Well, good luck this weekend," and I was like, "Thank you, sir." He said, "You want to know some brief history about Cleveland State?" I was like, "Sure, why not?" He said, "The last time they were in the Tournament was in 1986.... And they upset Bobby Knight's Indiana team. Don't let it happen to you guys."
All of that was true. Cleveland State was a mid-1980s Cinderella for a brief moment, making the Sweet 16 in 1986 as a No. 14 seed behind a point guard named Mouse McFadden. Cleveland State hasn't been back since. But this Cleveland State team can play -- it has wins over NCAA tourney participants Syracuse and Butler this season.
One other note: If Wake Forest does win Friday night, it has been confirmed by team officials that the Deacons would play their second-round game at 2:40 p.m. Sunday . Their opponent would be the Utah-Arizona winner.
— Scott Fowler
